Burfict up for Pepsi MAX NFL Rookie of the Week

Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict has been named by the NFL as one of five nominees for Pepsi MAX NFL Rookie of the Week.

Burfict led the Bengals with 18 total tackles, including 10 solo in helping Cincinnati beat the Baltimore Ravens, 23-17.

Burfict is one of five finalists for Pepsi MAX NFL Rookie of the Week along with Titans LB Zach Brown, Colts WR T.Y. Hilton, Redskins RB Alfred Morris and Seahawks QB Russell Wilson.

Bengals fans can vote for Burfict now through Wednesday, January 2 at 3 p.m. ET to determine the Pepsi MAX NFL Rookie of the Week. The winner will be announced Wednesday on NFL Total Access on NFL Network and on NFL.com.

After the regular season, five players will be nominated for Pepsi MAX NFL Rookie of the Year honors. Fans can vote for the winner on NFL.com/rookies throughout the month of January. The Pepsi MAX NFL Rookie of the Year will be announced at the second annual “NFL Honors” awards show in New Orleans on Saturday, February 2, the night before Super Bowl XLVII.

With the NFL Draft a month away, the Bengals are drawing rave reviews from the national media for their work this offseason. After chronicling the pirating of defensive end Michael Johnson to the in-house signings of middle linebacker Rey Maualuga and left guard Clint Boling, the pundits returned from last week’s NFL owners’ meeting with thumbs up.